Living with Afib: Atrial Fibrillation Life Expectancy

Atrial fibrillation, more commonly known as Afib, is a type of irregular heart rhythm. A healthy heart rhythm involves the four chambers of the heart beating in synchronization. Irregular heart rhythms, or arrhythmias, occur when the electric signals that control the heart do not work properly.

Almost 3 million Americans suffer from Afib according to the American Heart Association. It is the most common type of irregular heart rhythm. Upon diagnosis, many people with Afib wonder how it will affect their life expectancy. 

Living with Afib

Many people living with Afib do not even notice the condition at first. Since the rest of the heart is healthy, it continues to pump blood properly without causing any other symptoms.

For others, some of the signs of Afib can include:

• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Irregular heartbeat
• A fluttering or pounding feeling in your chest
• Fatigue
• Lightheadedness

Afib can become more serious over time, leading to the risk of blood clots, stroke and heart failure. 

How Long Can You Live with Atrial Fibrillation?

Recent advances in medical science have increased afib life expectancy. If controlled with medication or other treatments, the short answer to the question, “Does Afib shorten life expectancy?” is no.

Atrial fibrillation life expectancy is mainly determined by a person’s overall health and any other underlying conditions they may have. Afib is hereditary so if your parents or grandparents suffer from it, your likelihood of getting it as well increases. Studies show people of European descent are also at higher risk of Afib than those of Black, Hispanic, or Asian ancestry.

Afib can occur as the result of heart disease or a heart attack, though being diagnosed with atrial fibrillation does not mean you had a heart attack. 

Generally Afib is detected during a routine physical exam or EKG. If your doctor suspects atrial fibrillation, they may have you wear a heart monitor for a few days to track the electrical signals in and around your heart. If discovered, the Afib prognosis is good, especially if you are already in overall good health.

Some of the treatments for Afib might include:

• Medications like blood thinners or heart rate medicines. 
• Procedures like electrical cardioversion or cardiac ablation. During an electrical cardioversion, a doctor administers a shock to the heart to regulate the heartbeat. A cardiac ablation is most commonly done using a catheter that uses an electrical signal to destroy the cells causing the afib. 
• A pacemaker is also sometimes used to treat Afib. 

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Average Age for Afib

The idea that atrial fibrillation only affects the elderly is actually a myth. While it is more common in people over 70, it can occur at any point during a person’s life. 

Though the thought of the heart not beating properly sounds very scary, generally afib is a manageable condition that does not prevent you from living a long and happy life. You can still exercise with afib and may not even notice any symptoms as long as you stay healthy overall. 

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